Rola Roof Basket, Tubing Size??

[kb0nly]

Anyone that has the Rola roof basket that eTrailer sells for $159, can you tell me the size of the front bottom tube on it? I was thinking if i got one of them i could use a couple of tubular light mounts to add some driving lights on the roof, but i can't find what the outside dimension of that lower tube is and the mounts are made in different sizes.

I thought it would look neat to put a light on either side of the wind fairing on the front of the basket.

 

[kj924]

I'll go out and measure mine for ya. What do you need, the OD ?

OK the OD measurement of the lower front tube is 1 1/2"...that's actually the whole frame tube size, the cross pieces are smaller.

 

[kb0nly]

I'll go out and measure mine for ya. What do you need, the OD ?

OK the OD measurement of the lower front tube is 1 1/2"...that's actually the whole frame tube size, the cross pieces are smaller.

Yes, thats what i needed the OD...

Thanks bud i appreciate it!!

Looks like the upper tube is a bit smaller in the picture so i wanted to check on the size so i can start getting some parts ready!

 

[kj924]

I was thinking of putting lights in the same spot myself. Let me know what type of clamp on mount you find.

 

[kb0nly]

Here is what i am going with, i know i could do something cheaper myself, i even thought about having someone weld on mounting tabs, but this should do nicely.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1-5-...Q5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_2111wt_1165

 

[kj924]

Looks like they would be a good clamp system.

 

[kb0nly]

It's a two piece design with screws to clamp it tight, looks like rubber around the inside to keep it from scratching and slipping.

I got the brackets ordered and the Rola roof basket from eTrailer.

Now i just have to finish hunting down the crossbar. I have one factory crossbar that i bought on a whim at the junkyard, they only had one, and now i need to find one more. Would be nice to just find another stock crossbar instead of buying or building something else. But i might end up building to save money.

 

[kj924]

That's what I did, build my own for $10-15. They work perfect and are strong as you need, just a little too high for my liking, but for the price I will live with it.

 

[kb0nly]

I was going to try building the ones that guys are making with the chain link fence rail and those clamp-on Tee fittings.

 

[kb0nly]

Got the light mounts today, good looking pieces! The Rola basket will be here via UPS later today so i can get started on installing the lights on it. Should have a used set of crossbars i got on LOST next week, its all coming together.

I was going to build a set of crossbars, but the cost with ordering parts online and buying some stuff locally to make a set was more than the used set i bought so i will go with that!

 

[kb0nly]

Got the mounting clamps this morning and the Rola basket showed up this afternoon. Talk about good timing!

The wind fairing and the light mounts are on, i like it! Those clamp on nice and tight, good quality, they were worth the price. Now i just have to finish installing the lights on the front half and put it together. Going to drill and grommet holes for the lights and run the wiring inside the tubing of the basket to hide it all.

Just some quick pics from my phone...

 

[kj924]

Looks good, think I will get me some of those. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[kb0nly]

Looks good, think I will get me some of those. Thanks for the heads up.

No problem!

They sure are a lot nicer then i thought they would be, pretty thick aluminum, allen head bolts and they even come with an allen wrench.

The only thing i could see one running into for a problem on those mounts is overtightening the bolt and taking out the threads of the softer aluminum, but the bolt goes through far enough that you could easily put on a lock washer and nut, or a nylock nut. Come to think of it, i think i will put one on there so they can't back out or loosen up!